Georgia Gang Laws

The General Assembly finds and declares that it is the right of every
person to be secure and protected from fear, intimidation, and physical
harm caused by the activities of violent groups and individuals. It is
not the intent of this chapter to interfere with the exercise of the
constitutionally protected rights of freedom of expression and
association. The General Assembly recognizes the constitutional right of
every citizen to harbor and express beliefs on any lawful subject
whatsoever, to associate lawfully with others who share similar beliefs,
to petition lawfully constituted authority for a redress of perceived
grievances, and to participate in the electoral process.

Georgia § 16-15-3. Definitions

As used in this chapter, the term:

(1) "Criminal gang activity" means the commission, attempted
commission, conspiracy to commit, or solicitation, coercion, or
intimidation of another person to commit any of the following offenses
on or after July 1, 2006:

(D) Any offense defined in Article 3 of Chapter 10 of this title, relating to escape and other offenses related to confinement;

(E) Any offense defined in Article 4 of Chapter 11 of this title, relating to dangerous instrumentalities and practices;

(F) Any offense defined in Code Section 42-5-15, 42-5-16, 42-5-17,
42-5-18, or 42-5-19, relating to the security of state or county
correctional facilities;

(G) Any offense defined in Code Section 49-4A-11, relating to aiding or encouraging a child to escape from custody;

(H) Any offense of criminal trespass or criminal damage to property
resulting from any act of gang related painting on, tagging, marking on,
writing on, or creating any form of graffiti on the property of
another;

(I) Any criminal offense committed in violation of the laws of the
United States or its territories, dominions, or possessions, any of the
several states, or any foreign nation which, if committed in this state,
would be considered criminal gang activity under this Code section; and

(J) Any criminal offense in the State of Georgia, any other state, or
the United States that involves violence, possession of a weapon, or
use of a weapon, whether designated as a felony or not, and regardless
of the maximum sentence that could be imposed or actually was imposed.

(2) "Criminal street gang" means any organization, association, or
group of three or more persons associated in fact, whether formal or
informal, which engages in criminal gang activity as defined in
paragraph (1) of this Code section. The existence of such organization,
association, or group of individuals associated in fact may be
established by evidence of a common name or common identifying signs,
symbols, tattoos, graffiti, or attire or other distinguishing
characteristics, including, but not limited to, common activities,
customs, or behaviors. Such term shall not include three or more
persons, associated in fact, whether formal or informal, who are not
engaged in criminal gang activity.